Metlink: bus, train and ferry

The Metlink network comprises of:

• Over 250 public and school bus routes which service over 3,000 stops throughout the region
• 5 train lines servicing 48 stations
• 1 harbour ferry servicing 5 docks
• Total mobility service

We manage the Metlink public transport network. Our work includes:

• Managing and maintaining many of the local railway stations, bus stops, signage and Park & Ride facilities.
• Designing routes and manage the delivery of services with our operators on over 250 public and school routes and 5 train lines.
• Managing contracts with our operators to deliver our network
• Metlink communications including contact centre, website, and social media (Twitter and Facebook).

Find out more about Metlink.

Metlink is the Greater Wellington Regional Council (Greater Wellington) public transport authority which plans and delivers public transport within the wider Wellington region.

Greater Wellington works in partnership with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, KiwiRail and territorial authorities to plan and fund the region’s public transport network. Greater Wellington also works with other regional councils like Horizons on inter-regional transport initiatives. Metlink is focused on providing a great service to our communities across the region and on the welfare and wellbeing of our customers and staff, particularly our frontline staff and drivers.

Metlink is building a world class, low-emission public transport network that is more accessible for people. This involves making extensive and continuous improvements to the Metlink network to deliver faster, affordable, more frequent, and reliable services which links to their three strategic priorities:

1. To continue to improve customer experience on public transport across the network

The customer experience on the Metlink network is being continuously improved based on our customers’ feedback. We have a dedicated focus on understanding customer needs and developing solutions to meet these. This includes refinements to our timetables and routes based on our ongoing reviews of performance, upgrading the usability of our online journey planning and real-time information, introducing digital payment to rail services and ensuring passengers have right information and tracing so they can continue to travel confidently during Covid-19.

2. To reduce public transport carbon emissions decarbonising the public transport fleet

Planning for a fully decarbonised bus fleet by 2030 is already underway with Metlink adding the first of 98 electric vehicles to its fleet in August, this is working towards a target of 108 buses by 2023. When all 108 EVs are on the road, they will make up 22 per cent of Metlink’s bus fleet, shaving 17 per cent off of our total carbon emissions.

3. To contribute to the regional target of a 40% increase in mode share from public transport and active modes

With public transport and active travel accounting for half of all trips into central Wellington, the highest figure in the country, there is already strong appetite for mode shift among the region’s commuters. Metlink is keen to build on this success and recognise that a strong public transport network will help bolster this figure. With initiatives such as Bike and Ride Facilities, investing in infrastructure that makes it easier to access public transport and working with operators to provide a reliable network, Metlink is well on the way to achieving this.

Find out about the:

• Latest on Metlink network changes.
• Public transport operating model (PTOM) and bus contracts
• Wellington Regional Public Transport Plan
• Wellington Public Transport Spine Study

• Park your car and ride a train. There are free Park and Ride areas at railway stations
• Take your bike on public transport or leave it at the station in our Bike and Ride facilities
• Passengers with accessibility needs are eligible for Total Mobility discounts